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HOUSTON (AP) — Devin Booker scored 36 points, Mikal Bridges added 26 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Booker shot 15 of 24 from the field and scored at least 30 points for the second time in the last three games. “Just getting open shots,” Booker said. “We have a lot of guys who are selfless that make plays for each other. You see what everybody did today looking at the stat sheet. Chippewa Boots  That’s hard for defenses. That wears teams down when everybody is a threat out there. You don’t know who to guard, so I get a free open look. After that, I was just in rhythm.” Deandre Ayton added 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Torrey Craig — starting in place of the injured Jae Crowde...

By JAMIE STENGLE, SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN and CEDAR ATTANASIO, Associated Press HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Laci Stone had a special request for her mother. The 18-year-old wanted to get tiny matching heart tattoos before leaving her Texas hometown and returning to New Mexico to finish out her freshman year at the University of the Southwest. She begged her mother. And now Chelsi Stone is glad she didn't chicken out. “I’m so forever grateful that God gave me the courage to go through with it and always have this memory with her,” Chelsi Stone wrote on her Facebook page. She is among the parents, other family members and friends Thorogood Boots  who have been left brokenhearted and devastated after a fiery crash killed Laci, five of her teammates and a coach whil...

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Nursing a nagging foot injury, Rafael Nadal improved to 18-0 this season, edging Reilly Opelka 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) on Wednesday in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open. “I can’t say it’s a dream because I even couldn’t dream about that three months ago, two months ago,” Nadal said. “I am just enjoying every single moment.” Last year, Nadal's playing time was interrupted by COVID-19 and injuries, creating doubt about the Spanish star's ability to recover well enough to maintain Hey Dude Sneakers his exacting standards. But he won his record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and has continued on a tear. “I am just very happy to be playing tennis,” said Nadal, who turns 36 i...

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry went down with a left foot injury late in the first half and Golden State coach Steve Kerr didn't like Marcus Smart's lunging move at the reigning NBA scoring champ. Smart got an earful from Kerr, then they chatted again after the Boston Celtics beat the Warriors 110-88 on Wednesday night. “I thought it was a dangerous play. I thought Marcus dove into Steph's knee,” Kerr said. “That's what I was upset about. Lot of respect for Marcus, he's a hell of a player,Hey Dudes gamer, competitor. I coached him in the World Cup a few summers ago. We talked after the game, we're good. I thought it was a dangerous play, just let him know.” Curry was injured with 4:19 remaining in the second quarte...

By MITCH STACY, AP Sports Writer DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Paul Atkinson Jr. was in the right place at the right time for Notre Dame as the clock wound down in the second overtime period against relentless Rutgers. Atkinson rebounded a missed shot by Blake Wesley and put back a layup with 1.4 seconds left to give the Irish an 89-87 win in a wild First Four game and put them into a first-round West Region contest on Friday in San Diego. “Well, let me start by saying Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone here,”Hey Dudes  Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “And you notice that Paul's shot went in at 12:02 (EST) on St. Patrick's Day, so maybe there was a little bit of karma there.” Atkinson, a graduate transfer from Yale and former Ivy League Player of the Year, capp...

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson has been waiting for his shot to start falling consistently, and he certainly found a groove for Golden State against defending champion Milwaukee. He didn't force it, and plans to build on this as he keeps learning during his comeback season. Grinning, he said he wanted to score 40 points, it just sounds better, but 38 was great. Thompson's total was a season best and he raised his right arm in triumph to ignite the home crowd while leading the Warriors past the Bucks, 122-109 on Saturday night. “I was eager for a night like this,” Thompson said, “Steve Madden Shoes but a mid-season shooting slump it's not going to kill my ego, I'm still going to go out there and compete.” Thomp...